2020 Kia Telluride

2020 Kia Telluride Highlights

Kia shook up the status quo with the debut of the Kia Telluride for the 2020 model year. Upscale looks and a premium cabin at a mainstream price enabled Kia to sell every Telluride it could build.

Key Details

• Midsize three-row SUV with seating for up to eight passengers
• Standard 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque
• Front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD)
• Four trims: LX, S, EX, and SX

Benefits

• Spacious and versatile interior with sliding and folding second-row seats
• Upscale cabin materials and available premium features like Nappa leather
• Comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist safety technologies

Learn More: Here Are The Kia Telluride Years To Avoid

2020 Kia Telluride Overview

Kia’s flagship crossover SUV delivers a lot for the money and rivals more upscale competitors when outfitted in the top-of-the-range Kia Telluride SX trim. The Telluride shares its underpinnings with the Hyundai Palisade, its corporate cousin (Hyundai also owns Kia).

Performance

The 2020 Kia Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and refined power delivery. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available for improved traction. While not the most powerful vehicle in its class, the Telluride delivers enough performance for confidence while merging, passing, and towing. When properly equipped, the Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it suitable for hauling small boats or trailers.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2020 Kia Telluride an overall safety rating of five stars, the highest possible score. The Telluride also received a 2020 Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the organization’s second-highest rating.

All Telluride trims come standard with a suite of driver-assist technologies, including:

• Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality
• Rear parking sensors

The EX and SX trims add a surround-view camera system, highway driving assist (combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering), and a blind-spot view monitor that displays a live feed of the vehicle's blind spots in the instrument cluster when the turn signal is activated.

Driving

With a smooth ride and quiet cabin, the 2020 Kia Telluride delivers a comfortable and composed driving experience. The suspension is tuned for comfort over crispness, which provides a settled feel, even on less-perfect surfaces. The available self-leveling rear suspension on the SX trim further enhances stability and ride comfort, especially when carrying heavy loads or towing.

Drivers used to European engineering may find the Telluride’s steering too light, but the result is a large vehicle that’s easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The available all-wheel drive system provides added confidence in various weather conditions, seamlessly transferring power to the wheels with the most traction.

Multiple drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart) allow drivers to customize the powertrain and steering response to their preferences. Eco mode prioritizes fuel efficiency, while Sport mode sharpens throttle response and firms up the steering for a more engaging drive.

Interior

The Telluride's interior is spacious, versatile, and well-appointed. The cabin features high-quality materials and a thoughtful layout, emphasizing comfort and functionality. The first and second rows offer ample head and legroom, easily accommodating taller passengers. Third-row legroom is greater than some competitors, but this space is best left to younger passengers or less-tall adults.

The second-row bench seat can slide and fold, allowing easy access to the third row. Available captain's chairs in the second row offer additional comfort and convenience. With all seats in place, the Telluride provides 21 cubic feet of cargo space. This expands to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded and 87 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, making it one of the most spacious in its class.

Higher trims introduce premium features like leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and second-row sunshades. The top-of-the-line SX trim offers Nappa leather seating surfaces and a premium headliner for an upscale experience that rivals some luxury brands.

Technology

The lower 2020 Kia Telluride trims have an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. The system is intuitive and responsive, with clear graphics and logical menus.

Additional tech includes:

• Bluetooth connectivity
• USB ports in all three rows
• 6-speaker audio system (LX and S)
• 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system (SX)
• 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation (EX and SX)
• Wireless phone charging (EX and SX)
• Dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system (Available on EX and SX)

The available 10.25-inch touchscreen offers split-screen functionality, allowing users to access multiple functions simultaneously. The optional head-up display on the SX trim projects key information like speed, navigation, and driver-assist features onto the windshield.

Fuel Economy

The Telluride’s fuel economy is competitive within the midsize crossover SUV segment, especially considering its size and power. However, some rivals, like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, offer slightly better fuel economy, particularly in city driving. Here is the EPA-rated fuel economy for each drivetrain (front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive) in the 2020 Kia Telluride.

3.8-liter V6

• FWD (mpg): 20 city / 26 highway / 23 combined
• AWD (mpg): 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined

2020 Kia Telluride Reviews

The 2020 Kia Telluride has solid reviews on Kelley Blue Book, with owners giving their cars an average rating of 4.1 out of 5. Comfort and styling get the top scores, but the Telluride has good rankings for quality and reliability.

Reasons to Buy It

• The case for buying a 2020 Kia Telluride is compelling; these reasons include:
• Spacious and versatile interior with room for up to eight passengers
• Upscale cabin with available premium features like Nappa leather
• Smooth and powerful V6 engine with a competitive towing capacity
• Extensive list of standard driver-assist safety features

Problems

Every vehicle has its drawbacks. For the 2020 Telluride, these include:

• Fuel economy lags behind some competitors, especially for city driving
• Third-row space is best suited for children or smaller adults
• Some rivals offer more advanced off-road capabilities
• Top trims can get pricey when fully optioned

CoPilot's Take

The 2020 Kia Telluride is a convincing choice in the midsize SUV segment. It offers a winning combination of space, comfort, features, and value. Higher trims cross the divide between mainstream and luxury. The Telluride’s well-rounded nature and thoughtful design make it an excellent option for families or anyone seeking a versatile and upscale SUV.

One of the Telluride's standout attributes is its spacious and well-appointed interior. The cabin features high-quality materials and a generous list of standard and available features, rivaling some luxury SUVs in terms of refinement. The sliding and folding second-row seats provide notable versatility, while the expansive cargo area can accommodate a wide variety of gear.

Another strong point is the Telluride's V6 engine, which provides ample power for daily driving and towing. Kia also gets Kudos for packing the Telluride with numerous driver-assist technologies, which are a must-have for today’s family haulers.

Yet buyers shouldn’t look at the 2020 Kia Telluride without considering its shortcomings. Some rivals, like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, offer slightly better efficiency (the Highlander Hybrid is especially fuel-efficient). In addition, shoppers needing a spacious third row will find the Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander better candidates, but the Telluride’s third-row legroom is better than most.

Overall, the 2020 Kia Telluride is a must-shop option for those seeking a spacious, well-equipped, and value-packed midsize SUV. In particular, those who like upscale surroundings but don’t want a luxury label will find higher Telluride trims to be a winning formula.

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2020 Kia Telluride FAQs

How reliable is the 2020 Kia Telluride?

The first model year of an all-new vehicle can be prone to gremlins, which is something to consider with the 2020 Telluride SUVs. Consumer Reports gives this vehicle a poor 2 out of 5 for reliability (a rating that improves to 3 for the next year). Meanwhile, NHTSA has received hundreds of consumer complaints about the 2020 Kia Telluride, many of which involve the engine and electric system. It all adds to buyers being cautious and always having any used car inspected by a professional mechanic before purchasing.

Does the 2020 Kia Telluride have a recall?

There are currently five recalls for the 2020 Kia Telluride, two of which involve a fire risk and the potential for the vehicle to roll away on its own. Prospective buyers should ensure that any necessary recall work has been completed on the Telluride they are considering. Recall status on specific vehicles can be verified at the NHTSA website.

Are there any problems with the 2020 Kia Telluride?

While there doesn’t appear to be widespread problems with the 2020 Telluride, a review of NHTSA records shows there can be issues with the engine, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Always assess these and other trouble spots before buying any used car, including the 2020 Kia Telluride.

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